Yup. And I'm not saying we should spend just to spend. We have to spend smartly. I did not like the FA options this past year, either, and I'm glad we passed. I understand that the financial circumstances surrounding Crane's purchase and our tv deal dictate that we are currently a mid-market team for all intensive purposes. But Houston should never be a mid-market team in the long term. It's inexcusable. Our team hasn't spent a dime (comparatively) and we were 11th in attendance last year. Attendance would sky rocket if our organization made the moves for the best players, not the most cost-controlled players. That said, I realize we need to save up to afford Altuve, Correa, etc...I love our financial flexibility for years to come. I just hope we actually utilize that payroll space. t's frustrating to see a team in the 3rd biggest city to be hesitant to add players for financial reasons when we're sitting at 22nd in the league in payroll.
Damn, we got shutout.. win the series tomorrow, Stros. Wasn't the point of that post. Was saying "4th largest city" is misleading due to the metro.
Current home stand were 5-4... smh Should've won one more against SEA. Let's hope we win the series tomorrow.
Again... 10th biggest media market. That's a huge difference from 3rd or 4th biggest cities. 9 other markets simply have more fans following, watching, and being drawn to go to their games on a day to day basis... and that's before including baseball-crazy markets like St. Louis and KC (even Pittsburgh) that push Houston down even further. And this is before considering Crane's financial restraints or the fact that baseball was essentially DEAD in this city for over 3 years. Payroll has gone up... its no longer embarrassing... and will continue to go up as the young players continue to get bigger and bigger raises each year, and the appropriate salary is added via needed trades and the occasional free agent. They still are going to spend smart... not sure where you wanted them to spend, other than going after David Price? Lastly... its "intent's and purposes!" (not "intensive purposes")
Dear Astros, Playing .500 ball is real cute in the beginning of the season.... Unless you start 10 games under. Now is the time to step it up and go on a lengthy win steak or else the season will slip away fast. And everyone will be pissed off. Best Regards Your Fans
Not sure I see the problem over the last 13 games, where the Astros are 8-5. If you want to talk short-term, they had a chance to lose all 3 games of this series based on pitching matchups. The Astros are 1-1 so far and can take the series tomorrow. 2-1 is a .667 winning percentage. We don't need to sweep every series in order to get back to .500.
We aren't in a huge hole that requires some dominant year. We just have to keep playing good ball and winning series. Losing the game tomorrow would hurt a little in that regard, but sweeps aren't needed.
This team is reminding me of the Rockets. Can't put together multiple wins. Fighting for a .500 record.
